Two Killed In Fiery Wreck In Harford County

Two Killed In Fiery Wreck In Harford County

Two people are dead following a fiery crash in Harford County that might have been the result of road rage.

The crash occurred just after 2:00 a.m. Saturday on northbound I-95 at Rt. 24 near Abingdon. According to a press release, an off-duty Maryland state trooper was on the scene shortly after the crash occurred. Cpl. Kevin Watkins pulled three occupants from a burning Lexus. Watkins started performing CPR on one of victims - 31-year-old Veney Tanner Jr. - who was unresponsive.

A preliminary investigation showed that the incident began on I-95 following a traffic dispute. A dark-colored Jeep stopped suddenly forcing Tanner to stop. Both vehicles pulled to the shoulder past the exit for Route 24. Several people exited the Jeep, with at least one person banging on the windows of the Lexus.

Tanner pulled away from the shoulder and was struck by a box truck as he was entering the fast lane. Both the truck and the Lexus left the roadway and the Lexus caught fire. The occupants of the Jeep got back inside the vehicle and left the scene.

Tanner was transported to Chesapeake Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Another occupant of the vehicle, 17-year-old Janelle Jackson, was flown to Maryland Shock Trauma where she later died. The third occupant of the Lexus and the driver of the box truck were transported to Hopkins Bayview Hospital for treatment of their injuries. Watkins was treated and released from a hospital for smoke inhalation.

The northbound lanes of I-95 at Rt. 24 were closed for about five hours for investigation. Police are looking for anyone with information about the Jeep or its occupants to call the JFK Barrack at 410-537-1150.